"Kingdom of Heaven" & "Tripoli" scribe William Monahan has been set by Warner Bros. to write "Marco Polo," a historical epic based on Polo's autobiography "Travels" that will be a star vehicle for Matt Damon reports Variety.
A deal is being negotiated for Damon to play Polo, the 13th century explorer who ventured farther into Asia than any Westerner before him. His journey took 24 years, during which Polo became a confidante of Kublai Khan and witness to many technological advances of China and Mongolia. Along with Polo's memoirs, the studio has acquired a book proposal by Laurence Bergreen.
Monahan is also currently adapting the Cormac McCarthy novel "Blood Meridian" for Ridley Scott to direct, with Scott Rudin producing. The project is one that Rudin might bring to Disney when he switches his first-look deal from Paramount to the Mouse House.
Damon will next star in "The Departed" for WB, and will follow with the Robert De Niro-directed "The Good Shepherd." He is also expected to reprise the lead role as Jason Bourne in "The Bourne Ultimatum."
Thanks to 'Tea in China'
